Linotype-machine.



PATENTED AUG. l, 1905.

H. G. ZENKE.

i LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLLGATION FILED Nov`.,1z. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 795,878. A I PATENTBD AUG. l, 1905.

l H. C. ZENKB.

LINO'I'YPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. l2, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Sig, 6,

`ovITED sTATEs PATENT OFFIOE.

HENRY O. ZENKE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW- YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed November 12, 1904. Serial No. 232,506.

To all whom it 17a/ay concern.:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. ZENKE, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference more particularly to improvements in the lower distributer-box used in the commercial machines known as the double-magazine linotype, the machine in its general organization being shown in United. States Letters Patent to J. R. Rogers, N o. 640,033, and the distributerbox shown in pending application for United States Patent of Omar Southwell, Serial No. 229,166. In this class of machines there are two matrix magazines one overlying the other, each combined with a distributing mechanism at its upper end. The composed lines of matrices are presented to an upper distributor-box, by which those belonging in the upper magazine are directed to the upper distributer, while those belonging in the lower magazine are permitted to fall through an inclined chute to the receiving-box of the lower distributor, commonly known as the lower distributer-box. The matrices pass through inclined guides in this lower box and are released one at a time by vertically-reciprocating dogs, so that they may pass forward to the distributing devices proper.

M y improvements have in view the instantaneous movement of the feed-dogs from the path of the matrices in orderthat the latter may be released in the event of their accumulating or cloggingin the box. They refer, further, to the ready removal of the dogs or escapements that they may be cleaned and repaired or adjusted. They also have reference to means for automatically arresting the action of the distributer mechanism in the event of the matrices lodging or accumulating improperly in their course to the distributing devices.

The invention also relates to a construction giving convenient access to the interior of the box and to the matrix guides or channels therein. r

It also includes various details of construction, which will be hereinafter specifically described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the lower distributer-box of a linotype-machine with myimprovement incorporated therein. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a top plan view and a side elevation, illustrating the arrangement of the removable cover giving access to the interior of the distributer-box. Fig. 4 is an end elevationfof the lower part of the box looking in the direction of the arrow numbered 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the lower part of the box on the lines 4 4, Figs. 4 and 9, the parts being in their normal operative positions. Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the action of the stop devices under the infiuence of accumulated matrices. Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 5, showing the matrix-releasing dogs or pawls drawn downward to release the accumulated .matrices Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the upper portion or receiving-chute of the box viewed from the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9 9, Figs. 1 and 8. Fig. 10 is aperspective view of one of the matrices.

In its general construction and mode of action the box is practically identical with that shown in the Southwell application above referred to, but differs therefrom in details hereinafter specifically described and claimed.

In so far as the parts herein agree with those in the Southwell application they are represented by the same letters.

G represents a stationary inclined chute, through which the matrices descend successively from the upper distributer-box.

D represents the body of the lower distributer-box,into which the matrices are delivered by the chute. This box consists, essentially, of two vertical side plates having on their inner faces the inclined rails (Z3 and @Z5 to engage the ears or edges of the usual matrices O and guide them downward and forward toward the horizontal screws B, which engage the edges of the matrices for the purpose of carrying them forward along the usual distributer-bar.

H H are the two vertically-reciprocating' cooperating dogs lying in contact with each other and beveled attheir upper ends, so that they act alternately to release the downooming matrices one at a time in order that they may pass forward singly through the distributing devices. In the original structure these dogs and their actuating devices were mounted permanently or immovably in the box In practice it was found that the matrices would occasionally accumulate in excessive numbers or assume improper positions or that an improper matrix would enter the box in advance of these dogs, so that it became necessary to detach the box from the machine in order to remove or release the matrices. In order to overcome this dii'iiculty,l mount the two dogs H H and their connecting and operating' lever in a vertically-sliding' block or support K, mounted to slide upward and downward in the box,Y so that it may be lowered from the operative position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 7, whereby the upper ends of both dogs are carried below the matrices, enabling the latter to pass freely forward over them in order to permit their removal past the ends of the supporting-rails.

The block K is suitably guided in the side walls of the box. and the lever I, for actuating the dog's is connected to the usual operating-lever la. by a link am, adapted to be instantly disconnected from the lever, so that the sliding block K may be readily withdrawn from the bottom of the box and removed from the machine to admit ofthe box being cleaned, lubricated, or repaired.

It is to be observed that the escapement mechanism, consisting' of the two dogs H H and their actuating' devices, is removable bodily, the dog's and their actuating-levers being all sustained on the block, so that when removed their relations to one another are not disturbed.

The link 71,12 may be constructed in any suitable form and connected with the actuating'- lever /t by any means which will permit their `ready separation. lreeommend, however, the construction shown in the drawings, for the reason that it permits the parts to be separated and rejoined without the employment of tools. In the form shown the. link is provided on one side with a notch lt to receive a pin in the actuating-lever, and in order to keep it in engagement with the pin a roller or bolt lr, projecting into the lower side of the notch, is seated in the link upon a supporting-spring' 11.15.

lVhen the parts are in operative position, the bolt engages on the rear side of the pin in the lever and maintains the connection of the parts. A sharp pull laterally on the lower end of the link will cause the bolt /tll to yield, so that the parts may be separated.

It is sometimes necessary to adjust the dogs H H vertically in order to compensate for wear on their upper ends. To this end I provide an adjusting-screw between the block K and the sui'iporting-box. This screw is prefferably seated, as shown, in the block and arranged to bear against the lower edge of the box, as shown in Figs. l and 5.

.The block K, it will be seen, is a support wherein the escapement as a whole is mountative position by any suitable means.

ed and in which the escapement-dogs have a limited operative movement. The adjustment of this block has therefore the effect of changing' the position of the escapement as a whole and changing' the points to which the escapement dogs or pawls advance.

The block K may be supported in its operln o1'- der, however, lo admit of its being speedily lowered and instantly restored, I recommend the employment of a linger-lever l?, Figs. 1 and 2. This lever is pivoted to the box at Z13 and provided with a slot to receive a stud '/J on the side of the block K. A spiral spring f", acting on the pivot of the lever, tends to throw the latter upward, causing it in turn to hold the block and the dog's in their upper and operative positions. Pressure of the ting'er on the rear end of the lever will serve to effect its depression and the depression of the block K, with the dogs thereon. lVhen the lever is released, the spring will restore the parts automatically to their different positions.

1t sometimes happens that the matrices will accumulate in objectionable numbers in the box above the dogs H H. In such case it is desirable to stop the action of the distributing' devices until the matrices are released. I therefore provide in the path of the matrices a constantly-reciprocating dog which acts upon the clutch only when its advance is impeded b y the stoppage of matrices before it. I mount in the box` as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a dog' M, mounted on a horizontal pivot in the upper end of a lever an.. Under ordinary conditions the lower ends of the descending matrices pass freely over this dog, the point of which is free to yield without being' affected thereby. The dog-carrying lever m receives, however, a constant vibratory movement, through a pin m, from the lever in?, which is pivoted at its middle to the outside of a box and acted upon by the usual cam intended primarily to operate the dogs H H through intermediate connections. The lower end of the lever m has a transverse pin m4, extending outward through a horizontal slot in the side of the box. A spring m5 acts l against the lower end of the lever m and holds the same normally backward in the position shown in Fig. 5. The pin wf' is connected on the outside of the box with a horizontal slide Ila", the forward end of which will act upon the usual devices for throwing out of action the clutch which drives thedistributing mechanism.

'hen the matricesarc feeding' in the proper manner, the parts just referred to stand in the positions shown in Fig. 5 and the dog M is inactive. If, however, the matrices accumulate in excessive numbers behind the dogs H H, as shown in Fig 6, the dog' M will lodge against the rear face of the last matrix and be held at rest thereby, so that it serves as a fulcrum to the upper end of the lever m. When, therefore, the lever m is pushed forward by the action of the pin vfm. and lever m2, it swings around the point of contact as a fulcrum and the lower end of the lever m is advanced, as shown in Fig. 6, carrying with it the external clutch-controlling bar m, and thereby arresting the action of the distributer until the matrices are removed from the path of the dog'. My invention in this connection consists, broadly, in the employment of a device acted upon by the accumulated matrices to effect the stoppage of the driving mechanisin, and it will be manifest to a skilled mechanic that wide variations may be made in the details and in the arrangement of the parts without essentially changing' their mode of action or passing beyond the limits of my invention.

The two coperating' dogs H I-I, with their connecting and actuating devices, constitute an escapement controlling' the advance of the matrices and delivering them one at a time to the distributer.

It is frequently desirable to obtain access to the interior of the box through its top. I therefore attach the usual top bar or rod d, by which the twisting' of the matrices is prevented, to the box by connections which permit instantaneous removal. In the form shown the bar is widened at the top to rest upon the edges of the box. At the lower end it has shoulders d1", which engage under shoulders du in the walls of the box, as shown in -Figs 1 and 3. At the upper end it is provided .with a sliding' plate CZ, acted on by a spring Z13 and engaging under upper shoulders di* on the box. rlhis arrangement admits of the bar being' lifted off at will and its being instantly reapplied and secured.

In order to afford convenient access to the interior of the chute G without permitting the contained matrices to fall therefrom, I provide it on one side with a hinged plate or door g5, turning on a hinge-pin (/6 and provided with a thumb-lever ,07. As shown in Fig. 9, the hinged plate or door has a portion of the bottom of the chute-the rear halfm formed integral therewith, so that when the door is opened it withdraws the bottom portion, so that the contained matrices will fall downward and outward. This is important, because the parts are so located and hedged in by the surrounding' parts that the matrices could not be conveniently withdrawn by hand. A spring g8, encircling the hinge-pin, holds the door in a closed position. A backward pressure on the lever (/7 serves to open the door, thus giving access tothe interior of the chute.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a linotype-machine, an escapement mechanism including two coperating dog's,

movable bodily at will, to withdraw both dogs from the path of the matrices, whereby the accumulated or lodged matrices may be released.

2. In a linotype-machine, the coperating' dogs H, H', connecting devices, their supporting-block K, mounted to move bodily for detachable swing-link connection k12 between the escapement and lever.

5. In a linotype-machine, the escapement, its support K, adapted to be withdrawn from the machine, an escapement-operating' lever L, and a connection between the escapement and the lever, adapted to be thrown instantly into and out of engagement.

6. In a linotype-machine, the escapement, the movable support K, for the escapement members, a hand-lever for moving the support at will to withdraw the escapement .from action, and means for holding' the parts in their normally operative positions.

7. In a linotype-machine, the escapement, its sliding support K, the lever to withdraw the same, and the spring to return the parts to operative position.

8. In a linotype-machine, the distributerbox having inclined side rails to guide the descending matrices, in combination with the removable central overlying rail, CZ, and spring' connections holding the same in place, whereby its removal at will is permitted.

9. In a linotype distributer-box, the top rail, d, havingshoulders to engage the side walls, and a movable spring-actuated lockingplatc, substantially as shown.

10. In a linotype-machine, the inclined matrix-chute having' a side wall with a portion of the bottom hinged to swing outward 'and permit the escape of matrices downward toward the rear, substantially as described and shown.

11. In the distributer-box for a linotypemachine, a reciprocating dog' mounted in the path of the matrices, and a clutch-controlling' device connected with said dog and arranged to be actuated thereby when the dog is held at rest by the accumulated matrices.

12. In the distributer-box of a linotypemachine, a bar for controlling the drivingclutch', a lever connected with saidv bar and movable at both ends, a yielding' dog at one end of said lever to engag'e upon the lodged matrices, and an actuating device engaging the lever midway of its length, whereby the matrices are permitted to pass the dog freely, andthe latter caused to serve as a fulerum for the lever and throw-Out devices, when the matrices become lodged in the path of the dog. A

13. In a linotype-machine, the combination of the lever m, movable at both ends, the

springr m5, the dog M, the pusher m, and clutch-controlling har m6.

14. In a linotype-machine, a constantly-reciprocating clutch-Controlling device, mounted in the path of the matrices, and operative only when arrested by the stoppage of matriees in its path.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 4th day of November, 1904, in the presence of two attesting Witnesses.

HENRY C. ZENKE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, P. T. DODGE. 

